Monday, 30 November 2015

Since last month you all seemed intrigued with the adventures of “The Formidable
Four”, so we will continue the story today. Just to recap, there are cousins called Colleen and Charlie, known as ‘ Blondies’ from the Isle of Wight and David and Daisy known as ‘Gingernuts’ from Australia. If you missed October’s story and
photographs, CLICK HERE but in the meantime, this is a photograph of them below. Word prompts are in CAPITALS and bold.

Colleen had been practising frantically for a show she
was performing in soon on the Isle of Wight. She had thought that she had to fly over from Northern
Ireland, where they were on holidays at the time, on her own, however Gillian, her Mum said it
had been agreed that all the cousins would go to support her including her
Nana.

All packed. Of course,
Nana always has to take her BIG suitcase with her.

Yes, the one with the HOLE in it but
she had stuck plenty of black tape over the hole and said it would be OK. She says, ' Well at least no one will steel it!'

Although the children were used to flying they were always were excited and up for any new adventure. It wasn’t long before they arrived at the City Airport.

When they had negotiated security, Gillian said they could
all choose a BOTTLE of something to drink for the journey. The Blondies both had water.

While David bought
lemonade and Daisy settled for a BOTTLE of coke.

After arriving at Gatwick, they boarded a train for Portsmouth
Harbour where they were catching the Ferry to the Isle of Wight. All was going well, no hitches until Nana said she had left her big case on the train. The boys lept into action, ran back and hoped the train they had been on, had not departed again.

As they approaced the train, the conductor who was a STRANGER to them, recognised them and knew the case belonged to one of their group. He was so pleased they had made it back in time to collect the bag.

No more mishaps and Daisy enjoyed the train journey very much as she sat beside a STRANGER who turned out to be a lovely Australian lady so they had a lot to talk about.

They all arrived
safely home in good time for supper. The WEATHER was much better here than N.Ireland and they were delighted to see a beautiful sunset behind the trees in the garden.

Next day, as Colleen had a dress rehearsal, Gillian said
they would go OUT AND ABOUT to explore Shanklin Chime.

The boys were thrilled, Daisy not so much, however she was persuaded when her Aunt said they could have afternoon tea at ONE of her
favourite Tea Gardens where the scones with jam and clotted cream as well as the chocolate cake were to
die for.

WOW! They were all blown away by the fantastic waterfall and Nana took a video of it when they were all were LOOKING DOWN the chime.At the entrance there was this SIGN for Shanklin Chhime.

Gillian, Colleen and Charlie were the only ones to wear a HAT.

When Charlie, David, and Daisy heard Gillian telling Nana about the pipe line, they decided to see who could find it first. They enjoyed running down all the steps as the fences twisted round the path further down and lower along the chime.

Eventually they came upon the pipe with the
SIGN P.L.O.T.O on it. Charlie got there
first.

Along the way they saw this BIG wooden carved Squirrel.

Gillian said they would find out more about the pipe line in the information centre on
the other side of where they were now but first they would walk towards the
sea. The WEATHER was pretty dull and grey
but not raining and LOOKING DOWN the children thought the sea looked very cold
and certainly no ONE was at the beach huts below.

As they made their way over to the information centre, they passed ONE cannon and a Victorian Bath that Daisy could hardly believe people used to bath in.

We also
stopped to look at the BIG fish.

They all agreed that workmen must have had todig a very deep HOLE to make that pond, big enough for that fish and the other fish.

The children were very interested to see and hear the
story of P.L.U.T.O and you can see what it stands for on this TV screen.

It was indeed ONE of the greatest achievements of WW2.

They left Shanklin Chime knowing a great deal more than
when they first arrived and it wasn’t long before Daisy saw the SIGN for the Tea Gardens. Over scones and cake they all wondered how Colleen's rehearsal was going however it would not be long before they saw her performing in the show and they were looking forward to that.

I will leave you with a photograph her Dad took of her (my choice). Of course I am biased as her Nana, however if you wish to see a few more shots of her, CLICK HERE.

I hope you enjoyed both the story and how I illustrated it with photographs. You never know, there may well be another story next month but no promises as I will be in Malawi. I am linking this post with PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT and THROUGH MY LENS.

Thanks for visiting and also to all you leave comments. I was greatly encouraged from last month's comments to continue my story.

Sunday, 29 November 2015

It is time again for Scavenger Hunt Sunday and as last
week I did show you a couple of younger photographs of myself, today in this
collage below, I wonder can you pick ME out? I am in every shot and we were performing 6 short
sketches for the Bangor Chest Heart and Stroke group in my town.

1. Me

Well I am sure you have worked out which one I was and as you can see i even had to play a man!!

2. My Grocery List

This week I am on the Isle of Wight staying with my daughter and her family and when I was on the plane travelling from Belfast to London, this was for the MY GROCERY LIST for the Air Hostess! Sorry I had to write it on a 'sick' bag!

3. BakingWhen I moved into my home some 31 years ago, I said, i would not bake again and I haven't, however when the word prompt BAKING came up, I wondered, "do I still have my BAKING Powder"? Indeed I did, I know you are all wondering why and the answer is 'I do not know' and after publishing this post, I will be throwing the 'antique tin out!!!

4. KindnessNow this is a bit of a story behind this shot. When my daughter was volunteering as a nurse on a Mercy Ships called the Anastasis in Africa in 1993, her now husband came on board and fell head over heels in love with her. As they did not have much on the ship, he decided to make her 12 long stemmed roses out of straws and paper flowers. Last month was their 20th wedding anniversary and he pain stakingly made her another 12 roses. I thought this was very romantic and showed a love and great KINDNESS for her.

5. Change of SeasonsJust before flying I walked through Ward Park which is 2 minutes from my house and took this shot of the last of the autumn leaves because when I return, there will be a CHANGE OF SEASONS in the park into wintertime.

I hope you enjoyed this post and i am linking withSCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY.Many thanks for visiting and to all who leave comments. If you enjoyed this post please pop in tomorrow when I will be sharingPhoto Scavenger Hunt with the continuing story about "The Formidable Four".

Saturday, 28 November 2015

These
photographs were shot from Lufupa Conservation Lodge and the Hippos were on the
other side of the lake quite a distance away however I thought you would like to see them and the video at the end.

It was so relaxing a peaceful at the lodge and in fact other than 2 men who were there to protect the place from poachers, we were the only ones. Bliss.i am linling thos [pst with Eileen's SATURDAY CRITTERS.

Friday, 27 November 2015

Yesterday
I showed you the observation room overlooking the lake at Lifupa Conservation Lodge and today I am showing you
a few birds I saw from there that had reflections in the water.

They are an Egret and White - crowned Lapwing and a little peep of a Hippo.

I hope you enjoyed this post and tomorrow I will show you more birds when I hired a guide. to walk round the lake.I am linking this post with WEEKEND REFLECTIONS.Many thanks for you visit and also to all those who leave comments.

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About Me

I have retired from a medical background, as well as teaching a 3 year City and Guilds; and also running a Bed and Breakfast. I have taken up bird watching later in life however I became very enthusiastic from the beginning and was greatly encouraged by other bird watchers. For the past 9 years I have led a bird group in my town and have become a guest speaker on cruise ships talking about Birds around the world. I have travelled quite a bit, in particular to Australia where one of my daughters lives. I have now as many birding friends there as at home in Northern Ireland. I love Nature and being able to share that with others of like mind. I also like photography and do my best to photograph birds although I seem to be also very eclectic in what I photograph and blog these days.
I live in Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and it is a beautiful place to live however I love travelling to see places and birds that I have never seen before.